Finau's One-Handed Putting Draws Attention at the Memorial Tournament
Jung Yoonji Claims First Victory in Three Years After Switching to Reverse Putting Grip
Villegas and Wilson Use Spider-Man Stance to Read Greens
For professional athletes, tournaments are a battlefield. They must perform well on tour to make a living. If they lose their tour card or perform poorly, they immediately face deficits. To cover expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and caddie fees, they often have to dip into their own pockets. After much effort and consideration, players search for the optimal method to break out of a slump.
Tony Finau of the United States, known as the "knife dancer," is a prime example. He has recorded six career wins on the PGA Tour. During the Memorial Tournament, which concluded on June 1, he drew attention when he was spotted putting with one hand. On the 15th hole (par 5) of the third round, he attempted a 2.4-meter birdie putt, gripping the club only with his right hand while resting his left hand on his thigh.
Tony Finau is putting with one hand on the 15th hole of the third round at the Memorial Tournament. Photo by PGA
This scene was widely broadcast through TV coverage. Finau explained, "In fact, this is a method I often use as part of my practice routine," adding, "I've done it a lot on the practice green, but this was the first time I tried it in competition." While one-handed putting is not uncommon during practice, it is a rare sight in a tournament with a large prize at stake.
Finau said, "Putting with one hand helps enhance feel and create a cleaner impact." On that day, in the early part of the third round, he missed four putts within 2.4 meters, all of which broke from right to left. When he faced a similar line on the 15th hole, he instinctively chose the one-handed putting method and succeeded. Finau revealed that he even considered using the one-handed technique again in the final round. He said, "If I feel it's necessary, I can use it again."
Jung Yoonji of the KLPGA Tour also changed her putting grip and achieved victory. After claiming her first career win at the 2022 E1 Charity Open, she endured a winless drought. While her shots were perfect, she struggled with her play on the greens. On the advice of coach Joo Heungcheol, a former KPGA Tour player who has been coaching her since last year, she switched to a reverse grip (with the left hand below). She began using this grip at the E1 Charity Open, which concluded on May 25.
Then, at the Sh Suhyup Bank MBN Women's Open, which ended on June 1, she finally captured her second career victory, clearly benefiting from the reverse grip. Jung Yoonji said, "In the past, my practice ratio was about 80 percent shots and 20 percent putting, but as I prepared for this season, I increased the putting ratio to 50-50."
Camilo Villegas of Colombia, who has five career wins on the PGA Tour, is famous for his unique putting posture. He lowers his body like Spider-Man to read the greens. He explains that the closer he is to the ground, the better he can see the slope and grain of the grass. On the European Tour, Oliver Wilson of England also reads subtle changes in the green using the Spider-Man pose.
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